Abstract: A stereo laparoscope for producing a stereoscopic optical image of an intracorporeal region comprises an elongate tubular casing having side walls in which an illuminating window and left and right observation windows are disposed. A single, elongate, image transmitting optical fiber bundle is disposed within the casing, as are light emitting fibers for illuminating the intracorporeal region through the illuminating window. Left and right images are collected from the observation windows and alternately passed along the casing to the fiber bundle by a relay means comprising objective lenses, mirrors, a polarizing beam splitter and an optical switch. The left and right images are carried one at a time by the fiber bundle to a video display means which displays them to a viewer. Optical valves provide that the left image is viewed by the viewer's left and the right image is view by the viewer's right eye, to thereby produce a stereoscopic optical image.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 22, 1995
Date of Patent:
March 25, 1997
Assignee:
Concurrent Technologies Corp.
Inventors:
Robert Czarnek, Michael A. Saverino, Jack Kolff